Fort Worth bars are pouring on the spirit for the holidays in 2021, with four bars hosting temporary installations featuring a Christmas-y theme.
Themed pop-ups have been a local bar trend for a couple of years, but the trend has boomed with Christmas pop-ups (like these four in Dallas). It's no longer enough to do a minty martini, you gotta do a pop-up, and that means holiday decor which can provide a backdrop for photos — or even a rooftop "bubble bar" igloo.
Here are four Fort Worth bars where you can get lit with some souped-up Christmas cheer:
Holly-Daze! by Proper on Magnolia
The locally owned craft cocktail bar has transformed into a holiday haven, inside and out. Find a quiet table inside, underneath the sparkly garlands, trees, and hanging ornaments — or head outside to the recently redone patio (outfitted with festive decor and heaters for chilly December nights).
It'll take a few visits to sip all the way through Proper's newly created Christmas drink menu. Start with a Christmas Vacation (gin, passion fruit, cranberry, lemon, soda); a Holly Jolly Sh%t Show (vodka, pomegranate, lemon, maple, orange, spiced tea); or Milk & Cookies (vodka, caramel, white chcolate, demarara, coffee). Order a round of shots like the Hans Bubby (marula cream, brandy, frangelico, allspice dram). Then finish strong with The 3 Wise Women (rye whiskey, brandy, applejack, 5 spice, ginger, rosemary) or Yippee-Ki-Ay, Mother Plucker... (Christmas whiskey, amaro, orange, clove).
The holiday cocktails come in festive glassware, which is for sale. Need an ugly sweater in a pinch? They're for sale, too.
The pop-up will continue through Christmas Eve, December 24.
Miracle at Nickel City
A nationwide Christmas cocktail tradition has returned to Fort Worth's Nickel City bar in all its festive glory. First started in New York in 2014 by bar owner Greg Boehm, Miracle takes over 100 bars nationwide, unwrapping festive holiday decor and holiday-themed drinks through the end of the year.
Nickel City Fort Worth’s Miracle promises to get Christmas lovers feeling good “from mistletoe to toe” with a sleigh full of holiday drink specials, including the Elfing Around (prosecco, gin, mulled wine reduction, grapefruit shrub, bitters) and updated recipes for drinks such as the Jolly Koala, On Dasher, and SanTaRex. The Yippie Ki Yay Mother F****r — with Appleton Estate Signature Blend Rum, Plantation Xamayca and O.F.T.D., Rhum JM Blanc, purple ube and coconut orgeat, angostura bitters, pineapple, lime, mint, and powdered sugar — will surely make you feel welcome at the party, pal.
Drinks are served in festive holiday glassware, some of which are for sale, and 10 percent of proceeds are donated to the James Beard Foundation’s Open for Good campaign that benefits independent restaurants. The pop-up runs through December 31.
Santa Baby at Landmark Bar & Kitchen
This immersive Christmas pop-up hosted at Landmark Bar & Kitchen in Fort Worth’s West 7th Entertainment District features more than 10,000 square feet of over-the-top Christmas décor, including snow, lights, and more than 40 Santa Clauses.
Admission is free and a portion of the sales up will benefit Toys for Tots. All ages are welcome until 9 pm, and then it's 21 and up until 2 am. The big man himself will be in the building every Thursday-Saturday from 8-11 pm.
Seasonal cocktails include Abuelita's Cocoa (Kahlua, Bailey's, chocolate syrup, heavy cream, spices) and Butterbrew (Smirnoff whipped cream vodka, Butterscotch Schnapp's, horchata liqueur). There are mimosa flights, festive treats, and a s'mores kits, too.
Reservations are recommended for parties larger than six. The pop-up runs through December 29.
Very Merry Elfsmas Christmas pop-up at Curfew Bar
Drawing inspiration from Buddy the Elf, the downtown Fort Worth subterranean bar has decked its halls for the holidays. They're doing drink specials, pizza, and tableside s’mores all month.
Get "elf'd up" on the limited-edition minty, creamy “Let it Snow!” cocktail, frozen hot chocolate, or $5 White Russians. Santa's around occasionally for pictures, too. Pop in for Christmas cheer daily until 2 am, through the end of the month.
Teresa Gubbins and Eric Sandler contributed to this story.
Miracle cocktails are served in festive glassware.
